Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-12-30
THE K. OF L. IGNORED.
A READING OFFICIAL THROWS DOWN THE
GAUNTLET
10 the Great Labor OrganizahOn-Supsrintsndsnt
Swsigard Refuses 10 See a COmmiHee-A
Letter From President Corbln Defn-
ing the Situation.

NEW YORK, December 29.-Austin Ger
bin, President of the Reading Railroad,
plainly defined the position of the compa.
ny towards its employees in a letter, sent
at noonlto-day to A. A. Mcleod. general
manager, with instructions to eommuni-
cate its contents to the men.
1t reads as follows: ITO such of our old
employees, who have stood faithfully by us,
We feel Obliged and thankful and shall not
forget them, but the time has now arrived
when all of our employees will be required
to decide whether they expect to retain
their places by reason of honest and faith
ful service and prompt obedience to the
orders Of the company that employs them
and pays them, or blind obedience to the
direction of the K. of L. through
which organization the leaders hope to
coerce US into the employment of men who
consider their first obedience due to that
order. The men that stand by Us will
have employment with reasonable hours
and good pay, as much as is paid by any
other corporation of q similar charae er
Men who do not will never be allowed on
the road again, under any circumstances.
1--WE have never objected to labor or
CARNATIONS and do not now. Every man
shall be free to belong to one or not, as he
pleases, but the heads of such orders can
not and shall not dictate to this company
as to whom it shall employ or have to
operate its property. Places that are left
in obedience to orders of the X. OF l.. will
be filled with new men, and such men
will be retained and under no circum-
stances will be discharged to make room
for men who have left their places. Here
after We will operate this property with
employees who consider their first duty is
to the company, and expect to obey reason.
able orders made in the transaction of its
business.
"There has never been q moment when
nnder any circumstances we would arbi-
trate any questions growing out of this
strike. There has been nothing to arbitrate.
1t is only question as to whether the
company will be permitted to operate Its
own prOperty-a property in which there
is invested over $500, 600, 900, or whether
that property shall be controlled by the
Knights of Labor. 1t may as well be un-
uOn anu AlOAA WIS bALhO Oh bhoS
every wheel which is turned on the Read
ing system will he turned on the orders of
that company, and under the orders of
nobody else"
The officers OF the Reading Railroad
Company and a committee from the Exec
utivc Committee of the striking employees
who belong to the h. of L., came together
again this morning and parted after
short but stormy session.
Chairman John l.. Lee, and Henry Ben
nett, member of the Executive Commit
tee of the Knights, called at the Fourth
street office OF the company before lO
O'Clock this morning. Scattered about
the ball aud down stairs at the entrance
were members of the same committee, but
none save the mentioned made any effort
to see Superintendent Sweigard. As soon
as they arrived, Mr. Lee sent in slip
bearing his name and that of Bennett. The
only response he received was a word from
the messenger that the Superintendent
would see him after awhile" He waited
patiently, and in the meantime informed
a reporter that the committee had called
in response to the request Of the Superin-
tendent.
Understand, he said, I'VE did not seek
this interview, though the company's Of
ficers will doubtless tell you that we did,
lust as they said they never agreed to ar
bitration, when, in fact, they did" An
hour passed, and Lee and Bennett became
restless, and again was the messenger dis
patched to the Superintendent's office with
a slip of paper bearing the names OF the
two KNIGHTS of Labor. Again came the
answer to wait outside.
Half an hour later the Superintendent
left the General Managers office and cross
ing to where Lee was, said: II will see
you now, Lee"
The chairman was on his feet in a mo-
ment, his hat in his hand. But MIR.
Bennett is with me, )" he said.
II can't help that" replied the Super
intendent "My business is with you,
and | am ready to talk to no one else"
"Bennett is a member OF the Executive
Committee" said Lee, and ii you see me
you must see him also"
"But ! will not, was the brusque re-
sponse of the Superintendent. :,
Then Lee aud Bennett drew aside ana
held a short consultation. 1t lasted ont
moment and when it was over, Lee turned
10 the Superintendent and said: we
have agreed, sir, that as long as you sent
for us, we will not allow this conference
to take the nature of personal interview
Mr. Bennett must be present, not only as
mamber of the committee but as wit
ness"
"I have said" replied Mr.. Swelgard,
that | will talk with only you. II you
choose to agree to that come into my ONCE,
and then he entered his SOON and closed
the door.
Again did Lee and Bennett consult, ana
IL vas decided to make one more attempt
10 oct tbs Superintendent to recognize
both men. "Just to see" explained
the chairman whether eF not the COM
Dany Is 10 ignore the Knights of Labor en-
tireiy.u Thereupon he entered the office
and nsnsed on the threshold, leaving the
door partly open. rSuo.
S.Do Won refuse" said he to the Super
intendent, ito recognize this eomnhttee
because it is q committee, and II not' ior
what reason do you refuse?"
~ yill recognize no committee, was
the reply plainly heard by those outside; e,
81 will talk with you If you wish, but VIII
recognize no committee from any organiza-
ton" ,st v;lI
not recognize the committee / represent
YOU cannot recognize me. GOOD oAs'
SIR" s ;o;n;ro
i r---..44 lag1 fha huildinQ,